How things look through an Oregonian's eyes

December 01, 2016

For about three years I've been riding my Streetstrider outdoor elliptical bike at Minto Brown park several times a week. I've gotten countless (more or less) smiles, thumbs-up, and positive comments:

"Cool!" "Looks like fun!" "I want one!"

Well, that I want one sentiment is now much more easily within grasp. I've donated my yellow 8-speed Streetstrider to The Northwest Hub, a not-for-profit community bicycle co-op here in Salem.

So here's your chance to get a great deal on my 3-year-old Streetstrider AND help out The Northwest Hub, a Salem organization that enables low-income and no-income people to own a bike and be able to get around town.

Watch this video that I made to learn about the Streetstrider and The Northwest Hub.

I donated my Streetstrider to The Northwest Hub because I like what they're doing. I'm also helping them find a buyer for the bike. Yeah, it's a strange bike, but it's strange in some wonderful ways. Lots of fun to ride. Terrific exercise. Gets lots of attention from adults and kids alike.

Call Kirk at The Northwest Hub if you're interested in the Streetstrider: 503-584-1052

The Streetstrider comes with a 2-inch hitch rack that I used to transport the bike. It also comes with an Indoor Trainer accessory that I've never used. This lets you use the Streetstrider as an indoor elliptical bike. I'll be glad to give the buyer of the Streetstrider some riding and maintenance tips.

The suggested price, which basically is a donation to The Northwest Hub, is $595. The 8-speed Streetstrider 8r and hitch rack cost me about $2,000 three years ago. It's in good condition. Plus, you get the Indoor Trainer, a $200 value.

March 15, 2015

I got my Streetstrider, an outdoor elliptical bike, back in December 2013. Since, I've found it increasingly difficult to exercise aerobically indoors.

It's just so much more enjoyable to be out in nature, usually on the Minto Brown Island Park paved trails, than chugging away on an indoor elliptical bike at the Courthouse Athletic Club, like I did for many years.

Here I am, selfie'ing myself and my beloved yellow Streetstrider this afternoon in the midst of a day that saw 58 mph gusts at the Salem airport.

Starting out from parking lot 1, heading toward the dog park, I'll admit that my determination to exercise outside whenever possible wavered a bit when the wind was pushing me sideways so fiercely, I could barely make progress pedaling even in one of the lowest Streetstrider gears.

But once I got into treed areas, I thought "Great decision, Brian, to choose being in nature over an athletic club room."

I get into a lot of conversations with other people who are enjoying Minto Brown Park. A yellow Streetstrider is definitely an attention-grabber.

In the course of explaining how the bike works -- you stand up, using both legs and arms to power it, which makes for a great full-body workout -- I almost always say that the Streetstrider has gotten me addicted to doing my aerobic thing outside, even if it is raining, windy, or whatever.

To me, it's a lot like the classic slogan: The worst day fishing is better than the best day working. Except I make it, The worst day exercising outside is better than the best day exercising inside.

Not surprisingly, since I'm talking to people standing on a Minto Brown Park trail, I get a lot of replies along the line of "I feel the same way."

I realize that biking, walking, or running along in wet, windy, and/or cold weather isn't for everybody. At times I question my own sanity when I'm out and about on my Streetstrider in conditions that are keeping most people away from Minto Brown.

However, my feeling when I get back to the parking lot keeps me biking three days a week as often as I can, year-round, rain or shine.

Summed up in one word: Real.

These 21st century days we're exposed to a lot of virtual reality. Television. Computers. Smart phones. As much as I enjoy these things, I also hunger for really real natural reality. Feeling the wind push me around today -- joyous.

It was what it was, as the saying goes.

I had to deal with the conditions as they were, not as how I'd like them to be. Sure, I prefer 85 degrees and sunny. But I've Streetstrided in 32 degrees, windy, and cloudy. Like I said, those outings in the winter were more enjoyable than being on an indoor elliptical machine in a 70 degree room with TV's staring at me.

This afternoon I got out my iPhone, pushed the "video" button, and held it while I (somewhat laboriously) pedaled along with just one hand. Had to document my high wind day.

Since so many people in Salem, as everywhere, are like me -- addicted to being active outside -- I'm hoping that the message of Salem Bike Boulevard Advocates hits home with our Mayor and City Council.

This town needs more dedicated multi-use trails, as well as safe city streets that can go by various names: Bicycle Boulevards = Family Friendly Bikeways = Neighborhood Greenways = Quiet Streets.

July 17, 2014

This may sound strange, but it's true: at the age of 65, I can't remember when I've ever felt in better shape. (Note: my memory is pretty damn good, so this isn't senility talking.)

Reason is my bright yellow StreetStrider Summit 8r -- an outdoor elliptical bike.I got it last December. I rode it through Oregon's wet and cold winter. I've continued riding it in Oregon's dry and hot summer.

The StreetStrider is a super enjoyable exercise. I must have gone about 560 miles by now, mostly on multi-use trails at Salem's Minto Brown Island Park. Almost always I do my thing three days a week, usually riding about 7.5 miles in 45 minutes or so.

There's uphills, downhills, and flats. All fun on the StreetStrider. Along with the fun comes an amazing workout. After I'm done I feel like every part of my body, from toes to shoulders, has gotten some great exercise.

I'll confess to feeling superior to the many bicyclists who also use the Minto Brown trails.

Yes, they can go faster than I can. And yes, it's easier to ride a long distance on a regular bike. But the full-body workout of the StreetStrider is way superior for building core strength. Plus, the lean-to-turn steering of the StreetStrider engages my entire body in a way that bicycling doesn't.

I'll repeat one of my usual lines when someone says "Wow, that's cool!" and I take a few minutes to stop and talk with them about my ride.

At first I was worried that the StreetStrider was akin to a late-night TV merchandising ripoff, since it is only sold online and I hadn't tried it before I bought it. Believe me, it isn't. This is a quality piece of equipment.

And I'm getting zilch, nada, nothing, for saying that. I believe StreetStrider has a referral program, where you get $50 if someone you talk to ends up buying one. I haven't signed up for this. When I extol my StreetStrider, its because that's how I feel about it.

My only recurring problem with the StreetStrider so far is a couple of flat tires.

Two flats (both on the front tires) in seven months isn't a big deal. I'd like to have zero, though. Today, after getting my second flat, I got around to putting on a Schwalbe Marathon replacement tire sold by StreetStrider. I've ordered another one for the other front tire.

The Schwalbe looks and feels more substantial than the stock tires. Reading some reviews of it on Amazon, I'm expecting that it will be more puncture-resistant.

The flats have spurred me to get more competent at changing a tube. I now carry extra tubes, tire levers, and a CO2 inflator in a pack when I ride. It's tough to use a hand pump to get a tube up to the 70 pounds of pressure I like to ride at.

I keep intending to get out my GoPro camera and make some videos of me doing my senior citizen StreetStriding. Before summer is over, I vow. I want to show the uphills I'm now able to handle, since this was one of my concerns early on: how well does the StreetStrider go uphill?

Not as well as my 24 speed mountain bike, for sure. But good enough to make it up almost all of the slopes I encounter at Minto Brown Park. Anyway, this is first and foremost a fun exercise machine, not a touring bicycle.

(That said, recently I got an email from someone who told me he rode his StreetStrider 108 miles in Florida. I told him that I was impressed. Yeah, Florida is flat. But 108 miles! The farthest I've gone at one time is 10 miles.)

Now he's known as Slomo on the boardwalk. A 16-minute documentary about him can be viewed on the NY Times site. Well worth watching. Just wait for the ad to finish.

Today I went StreetStriding at Minto Brown Island Park here in Salem, Oregon. I'm totally addicted to this outdoor elliptical bike, which I got about three and half months ago. If I'm not able to do my StreetStrider thing for five to seven miles three days a week, I get bummed out.

This afternoon's ride was done in sunny 60-degree'ish weather. Delightful, after a March that was the second wettest on record in northwest Oregon. More people than usual were out and about on the Minto Brown paved trails.

Two groups of women asked me questions about the StreetStrider. This happens often -- people wanting to know what the heck this weird-looking yellow "bike" I'm riding is all about.

After explaining the basics, I always get around to extolling how much fun it is to ride the StreetStrider. I show how, by shifting weight from one leg to the other, the bike naturally zigs and zags from side to side, the amount of zigging and zagging controllable by the rider.

I like a lot, most of the time.

An exception is when I approach some people coming the other way on one of the park's narrow trails. Then I shift to a nearly straight-ahead riding style, to show them that this old guy on a bizarre bike isn't going to run them off their side of the trail.

One of my usual lines when someone asks me about the bike is, "The StreetStrider has been described as skiing on land. It does have that feel of carving back and forth. Same basic feeling as moving from side to side on a longboard/skateboard or surfing."

In the documentary about Slomo, there's a part at about the eight-minute mark where Kitchin talks about his theory of lateral acceleration making us feel good. Below is the transcript that I made.

It's better to watch the film, of course. This part of the documentary has diagrams, illustrations, and footage of longboarders and surfers carving back and forth much like Slomo does on his skates.

And I do on my Streetstrider. Slomo says:

I was always trying to perfect this technique, skating in slow motion. I realized that there was an aspect to lateral acceleration which made many of us feel good. I studied this, and there is a neurological explanation for this thing.

Acceleration stimulates a set of receptors which are in the inner ear, that connects us with the center of the Earth, by gravity. A piece of calcium sits on a membrane so that any change in the relative position of gravity will make this stone roll, and therefore there will be some indication that the body is moving relative to the center of the Earth.

When I skate, the whole idea is to keep a continuous feeling of acceleration, even though it's very small. And if you keep it constant, the feeling of expansion continues to build. Anything where you can get this angle of acceleration feeling, you can use that for meditation, because it puts you in the zone.

Interesting. Slomo could be on to something here. Might help explain why I've become so addicted to the StreetStrider, after a stint of being addicted to longboard land paddling.

January 03, 2014

I'm two weeks into my StreetStrider riding experience. After eight enjoyable outings, totaling 35 miles according to my RunMeter iPhone app, I'm a believer in this outdoor elliptical machine.

Which I usually call a "bike," since it has three wheels and bike parts -- brakes, shifter, chain, etc. As noted in my first StreetStrider post, I had it assembled by a local bicycle shop.

After my first 2.6 mile ride, I felt like the StreetStrider had kicked my butt. And I'm a 65 year old guy in very good shape. Now, StreetStrider and I are like good buddies rather than sparring partners.

I've learned a lot about how to ride the StreetStrider. Below I'll share some tips.

My favorite route is 5.3 miles at Minto Brown Island Park here in Salem, Oregon. It's got some mild to moderate ups and downs. With a short rest/water break, it takes me about 39 minutes. Average speed: 8.2 mph. Top speed: 15.7 mph.

Terrific workout. I'm already feeling like I'm in considerably better shape than I was before. Equally important is how much freaking fun the StreetStrider is.

No way am I going back to exercising on an indoor elliptical machine at our athletic club. I go to the club after a StreetStrider ride to lift weights, do some yoga/Tai Chi, and shower. My vow is to ride the StreetStrider rain or shine (here in Oregon during the winter, there's usually a lot more of the former than the latter).

On to the tips. I've been practicing Tai Chi for ten years and enjoy Taoist philosophy. So I'll share these tips in sort of a Tao of StreetStriding style.

(1) Become one with the StreetStrider. At first I fought the machine. I tried to control it. Then I realized that it knew how to StreetStride, and I didn't. I began to relax into the striding motion, letting the pedals and handlebars do their thing, with me following along. Much more enjoyable that way.

(2) Trust how you feel. There's a pace that feels "right on." It changes all the time. This depends on how I feel, which in turn depends on my energy level, weather conditions, terrain, other people on the multi-use trail, and such. I've learned to go as fast or as slow as I feel like going. Pushing too hard isn't fun. "Patience, grasshopper."

(3) Hold lightly the handlebars. Most of my StreetStriding energy seems to come from the pedals. Usually the push-pull motion of the handlebars provides minimal extra motion, unless I'm going up a fairly steep hill. So I grip the handlebars loosely. The StreetStrider wants to "carve" back and forth like being on skis or riding a longboard/skateboard. Allow it to do its thing.

(4) Shift weight side to side, not back and forth. After my initial ride I had some soreness in my left calf. I think it was because I was unconsciously trying to move the StreetStrider pedals forward and back, rather than simply shifting my weight side to side. Left-right weight transfer provides the power, not pushing the pedals forward and back.

(5) Turn by leaning outward. For a while I turned by stopping pedaling, then weighting the leg on the side I wanted to turn toward. This works fine, but I found that a better way to turn is by leaning my entire body outward in the desired turn direction. This lets me continue pedaling through a turn. And is more fun.

(6) Get down for more power. When StreetStrider and I are in sync, which usually takes me a mile or so given my relative "newbie" status, I feel like the striding power comes from my core rather than my legs and arms. Particularly when I'm actively using the handlebars to get up a hill in a low gear. Then it feels like my body also is lower; everything sinks; energy flows from the abdomen.

(7) Stride slower, go faster. As noted in (1), at every moment there's a striding motion that, like Goldilocks experienced, is just right. Not too fast, not too slow. The more I StreetStride, however, the slower it is. Probably because I'm generating more power, so feel comfortable in a higher gear. Pedaling fast in a low gear isn't as enjoyable or necessary, unless I'm pumping up a steep hill that takes all my effort.

(8) Dance with your partner. I've begun to experience a dance-like quality to the StreetStrider. It's when I let the StreetStrider move as it wants to move, while I move as I want to move. Not sure who is doing the leading here. Maybe both of us. This is when I get a glimpse of the Tao or Joy of StreetStriding.

This isn't like bicycling. This isn't like longboarding/skateboarding. This isn't like skiing. I can do all of these things. StreetStriding has some of the feel of each, yet has its own unique exercising personality.

I'm hooked.

Now, your experience on a StreetStrider will be different, because we're different people. The last few times I used the StreetStrider I thought, "I was born to StreetStride" (sung off key inside my head to Born to Be Wild, of course).

I'm pretty adventurous. I rode a Burgman 650 maxi-scooter for a while. I've been into martial arts for a long time, Tai Chi for the past ten years. I took up "land paddling" on a longboard skateboard a few years ago, so find it natural to turn by leaning.

Nonetheless, I think just about anyone would enjoy riding a StreetStrider.

And I say this of my own volition, with zero financial connection to the StreetStrider folks (they have a referral program where, I believe, you get $50 if someone you talk to buys a machine, but I haven't signed up for this).

To be able to exercise outside, having fun doing it, getting a great aerobic and core workout in 40 minutes or less, riding a "bike" that is safe (excellent brakes, three wheels, good handling) -- what's not to like?

Well, for some the size and weight.

I already had a two-inch hitch on our Highlander SUV, so bought a StreetStrider rack along with the StreetStrider. I have no problem lifting it on and off the rack, but some people would. The rack can decline, though, allowing the StreetStrider to be rolled onto it.

Without a rack or pickup, the StreetStrider would be tough to carry around in most vehicles. Some models fold, but not the 8-speed version, which I definitely recommend if you plan to use the machine on anything but flats and mild inclines. HIlls are tough even with 8-speeds, believe me.

On the whole, my two week, 35 mile review of the StreetStrider is... all smiles.

December 19, 2013

Here's a hot-off-the-iPhone photo of my Christmas present to myself, which I opened early.

A StreetStrider, which is an outdoor elliptical bike. It's on a hitch rack that is made for the unusual machine -- two wheels in front, one in back.

I decided to get a StreetStrider to supplement my other non-traditional outdoor exercise, senior citizen land paddling on a longboard/skateboard. (You can peruse my land paddling blog posts here; scroll down for earlier ones.)

Longboard land paddling is a lot of fun. Most of the time. Not so much, though, when Oregon storms leave the Minto Brown Island Park trails leaf and twig strewn, wet, and slippery.

It's easy to ride over a finger-sized twig on a bicycle tire. A skateboard wheel sometimes will stop suddenly, leaving the rider, such as 65 year old me, continuing onward. Rather rare event, fortunately, but it has happened to me.

I've been exercising inside at the Courthouse Athletic Club when conditions are too crappy for me to do my land paddling thing.

But now that I've gotten used to cruising for five miles or so outdoors at beautiful Minto Brown Park, it feels dismal to stand on a stationary elliptical machine, listening to a podcast or watching TV.

Too tame. No fun. Unnatural.

Having put in 25 minutes and a couple of miles on the StreetStrider on Minto Brown trails today, I'm happy with my purchase. My initial impression is simply put...

It kicked my butt. Which is a positive review.

I'm in very good shape for someone my age. I got the hang of turning the StreetStrider almost right away. It's a lot like turning on a skateboard or longboard: weight the side you want to turn toward. Here's how it's done:

But, man, I was using different muscles on the StreetStrider, and feeling it.

After 2.6 miles I was pretty much cooked. In a good way. Breathing hard, but not exhausted. I could have gone further, but didn't want to push myself too much on my first ride.

I'm impressed with the quality of the StreetStrider. I paid $99 to have it assembled by a local bike shop, Santiam Bicycle. I'm glad I did.

The Santiam Bicycle guys told me the StreetStrider is as mechanically sophisticated as any regular bike they sell. It has drum brakes in front, which I've never had on a bicycle. And a smooth 8 speed shifter on the right handlebar.

It feels solid. I was comfortable riding it, even with decidedly less-than-perfect technique, after a few turns around one of the Minto Brown parking areas. (Previously I'd practiced some in our carport.)

Leaning to turn will feel weird to some people. But not to skateboarders, skiers, surfers, and such.

I didn't experience any steep downhills today. From this video, it looks like carving down a hill on a StreetStrider will be a lot of fun.

l'm impressed with the StreetStrider staff also. They handled the "White Glove" local assembly arrangements perfectly. When questions arose, I got a phone call and we dealt with them.

The bike arrived in just a few days from Fresno, even though it was in the midst of the holiday shopping season. The 2-inch hitch rack came directly to me, while the StreetStrider was delivered to Santiam Bicycle. That allowed me to assemble the rack before picking up the StreetStrider.

I won't be going up any steep hills. But I can't do that on a longboard either. The StreetStrider really isn't designed for long distance travel, like a bicycle is. It's a fun exercise machine, is the way I look upon it.

People don't go to a gym to have an easy time. You go there to sweat, exert yourself, build muscles and stamina.

I already can tell that a 30-60 minute StreetStrider workout is way better exercise than putting in the same amount of time on a regular bicycle or stationary elliptical machine. After all, for quite a few years I've been doing 30 minute workouts on an indoor elliptical trainer.

Like I said above, on my first ride the StreetStrider pretty much wasted me in 25 minutes.

Outdoors just is way different than indoors. I can slack off indoors; getting up a hill today without stopping outdoors pushed my exercise buttons much differently than an athletic club elliptical machine does.

Lastly (until my next StreetStrider post), here's a video from an 80, or 79, year old guy that helped me decide to get a StreetStrider. I liked his attitude. Direct and heartfelt.

OK, forgot about another video I wanted to share. So here's my lastly, lastly...

This video made by StreetStrider only has a few views, but it is the best instructional video I've come across. Strangely, it only lasts for three minutes or so, though it is shown as 8:15 long. This shows how to ride the bike.